VICTOR WANYAMA came off the bench to score his first goal for Southampton as they continued their impressive start to the season with a 0-1 win over Swansea.

Wanyama scored his first goal for Southampton in the win over Swansea [GETTY]

Wilfried Bony saw red six minutes before half-time for two bookable offences.

The Ivorian was sent off for the first time in English football after felling Saints defender Maya Yoshida with a needless tackle from behind on the halfway line.

Bony had already been booked for catching Jose Fonte in mid-air after 20 minutes, and, while that decision might have been slightly harsh with the striker's focus firmly on the ball, there was no disputing the second caution.

Swansea had dominated proceedings until Bony's dismissal, but the red card proved the game's turning point as Southampton took total command in the second period.

They had to wait until the 80th minute for their winner, though, when Graziano Pelle fed Wanyama and his unerring finish gave Southampton their third consecutive victory and moved them above Swansea in the table.

Roy Hodgson was visiting the Liberty Stadium for the first time in his capacity as England manager and there were two fascinating battles on the flanks for him to assess.

Nathan Dyer was up against Ryan Bertrand and Nathaniel Clyne was marking Wayne Routledge, and the Swansea wingers enjoyed early success.

Routledge sent over an excellent 12th-minute cross but Dyer was unable to make a proper connection and Bertrand cleared the danger.

Swansea were calling the shots in the early stages and Gylfi Sigurdsson fired straight at Fraser Forster in the Saints goal before Routledge sent an ambitious volley wide.

Southampton are now second in the league after their third successive win.